COLREGs Rule 26: Lights and shapes for fishing vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

Rule 26 says what lights and shapes a vessel engaged in fishing must exhibit, underway or at anchor. Trawlers and other fishing vessels have different required lights. A vessel not engaged in fishing must not show these lights or shapes.

Applies toVessels engaged in fishing, and vessels not engaged in fishing, which must not show the fishing lights or shapes.

What it says

A vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor, must exhibit only the lights and shapes prescribed in this Rule.
COLREGs Rule 26(a)“A vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor, shall exhibit only the lights and shapes prescribed in this Rule.”
A vessel engaged in trawling must exhibit two all-round lights in a vertical line, green over white, or a shape of two cones with their apexes together in a vertical line.
COLREGs Rule 26(b)(i)“two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being green and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with their apexes together in a vertical line one above the other;”
A trawler must also exhibit a masthead light abaft of and higher than the all-round green light. A vessel of less than 50 meters in length is not obliged to exhibit it but may do so.
COLREGs Rule 26(b)(ii)“a masthead light abaft of and higher than the all-round green light; a vessel of less than 50 meters in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such a light but may do so;”
A vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling must exhibit two all-round lights in a vertical line, red over white, or a shape of two cones with apexes together in a vertical line.
COLREGs Rule 26(c)(i)“two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with apexes together in a vertical line one above the other;”
When outlying gear extends more than 150 meters horizontally from a vessel fishing other than by trawling, the vessel must exhibit an all-round white light or a cone apex upwards in the direction of the gear.
COLREGs Rule 26(c)(ii)“when there is outlying gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally from the vessel, an all-round white light or a cone apex upwards in the direction of the gear;”
A fishing vessel making way through the water must also exhibit sidelights and a sternlight in addition to its fishing lights.
COLREGs Rule 26(c)(iii)“when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.”
A vessel not engaged in fishing must not exhibit the lights or shapes of this Rule. It shows only those prescribed for a vessel of her length.
COLREGs Rule 26(e)“A vessel when not engaged in fishing shall not exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in this Rule, but only those prescribed for a vessel of her length.”
Inland: A vessel engaged in fishing with purse seine gear may exhibit two yellow lights in a vertical line, but only when the vessel is hampered by its fishing gear.
COLREGs Rule 26(f)(iii)(1)“Vessels engaged in fishing with purse seine gear may exhibit two yellow lights in a vertical line.”

Common questions

What lights does a trawler show under Rule 26?

A trawler must show two all-round lights in a vertical line, green over white, or a shape of two cones. It must also show a masthead light, which a vessel under 50 meters in length may omit.

“two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being green and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with their apexes together in a vertical line one above the other;”

What must a fishing vessel show when its gear extends more than 150 meters?

A vessel fishing other than by trawling must show an all-round white light or a cone apex upwards in the direction of the gear.

“when there is outlying gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally from the vessel, an all-round white light or a cone apex upwards in the direction of the gear;”

Can a vessel that is not fishing show the fishing lights?

No. A vessel not engaged in fishing must not exhibit the lights or shapes of this Rule. It shows only those prescribed for a vessel of her length.

“A vessel when not engaged in fishing shall not exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in this Rule, but only those prescribed for a vessel of her length.”

Where are the additional signals for fishing vessels close together found internationally?

International: The additional signals described in Annex II to these Rules apply to a vessel engaged in fishing in close proximity to other vessels engaged in fishing.

“The additional signals described in Annex II to these Rules apply to a vessel engaged in fishing in close proximity to other vessels engaged in fishing.”

The text of COLREGs Rule 26

U.S. Coast Guard, Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook

Rule 26: Fishing Vessels

International (COLREGs)

(a) A vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor, shall exhibit only the lights and shapes prescribed in this Rule.

(b) A vessel when engaged in trawling, by which is meant the dragging through the water of a dredge net or other apparatus used as a fishing appliance, shall exhibit:

(i) two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being green and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with their apexes together in a vertical line one above the other;

(ii) a masthead light abaft of and higher than the all-round green light; a vessel of less than 50 meters in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such a light but may do so;

(iii) when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight. Vessel engaged in trawling—making way; vessel less than 50 meters in length. Same for Inland. Vessel engaged in trawling – making way; 50 meters or greater in length. Same for Inland.

(i) two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with apexes together in a vertical line one above the other;

(ii) when there is outlying gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally from the vessel, an all-round white light or a cone apex upwards in the direction of the gear;

(iii) when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.

(d) The additional signals described in Annex II to these Rules apply to a vessel engaged in fishing in close proximity to other vessels engaged in fishing. Vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling—making way. Same for Inland.

(e) A vessel when not engaged in fishing shall not exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in this Rule, but only those prescribed for a vessel of her length.

Inland Rules

Fishing vessels

(a) A vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor, shall exhibit only the lights and shapes prescribed in this Rule.

(b) A vessel when engaged in trawling, by which is meant the dragging through the water of a dredge net or other apparatus used as a fishing appliance, shall exhibit:

(i) Two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being green and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with their apexes together in a vertical line one above the other;

(ii) A masthead light abaft of and higher than the all-round green light; a vessel of less than 50 meters in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such a light but may do so;

(iii) When making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight. Vessel engaged in trawling—not making way; vessel less than 50 meters in length. Same for International. Vessel engaged in trawling—not making way; 50 meters or greater in length. Same for International.

(i) Two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with apexes together in a vertical line one above the other;

(ii) When there is outlying gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally from the vessel, an all-round white light or a cone apex upward in the direction of the gear; and

(iii) When making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.

(d) [Reserved] Vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling—not making way. Same for International.

(e) A vessel not engaged in fishing shall not exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in this Rule, but only those prescribed for a vessel of her length.

(f) Additional signals for fishing vessels in close proximity:

(i) The lights mentioned herein shall be placed where they can best be seen. They shall be at least 0.9 meters apart but at a lower level than lights prescribed in this Rule. The lights shall be visible all round the horizon at a distance of at least 1 mile but at a lesser distance from the lights prescribed by these Rules for fishing vessels.

(ii) Signals for trawlers.

(1) Vessels when engaged in trawling, whether using demersal or pelagic gear, may exhibit:

(A) When shooting their nets: two white lights in a vertical line;

(B) When hauling their nets: one white light over one red light in a vertical line;

(2) Each vessel engaged in pair trawling may exhibit:

(A) By night, a searchlight directed forward and in the direction of the other vessel of the pair;

(B) When shooting or hauling their nets or when their nets have come fast upon an obstruction, the lights prescribed in paragraph

(f)(ii)(1) of this Rule.

(iii) Signals for purse seiners.

(1) Vessels engaged in fishing with purse seine gear may exhibit two yellow lights in a vertical line. These lights shall flash alternately every second and with equal light and occultation duration. These lights may be exhibited only when the vessel is hampered by its fishing gear.

(2) [Reserved]

The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of August 12, 2024. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.